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“Don’t wait for someone to give you permission to succeed and achieve. Don’t wait for someone to tell you how to do it. Don’t wait for just the right situation. Don’t count on being lucky.

Your destiny is in your hands. Think like it and act like it with each passing moment.” – Rod Stryker, The Four Desires.

I had the good fortune of taking a workshop with Rod Stryker. I had read his book, The Four Desires, for about a year before I took his weekend workshop. In a sort of prayer, wish, thought combo I kept knowing I would take a class with him. At that point, Rod had workshops and classes all over the country, but the dates and travel just never worked out with my schedule. But, in my heart and mind, I KNEW I needed to meet him, and that I would. I said to myself, God, and the Universe, “I’m not able to travel to the places Rod is teaching. He needs to come to Wisconsin so I can take a class or workshop with him.” I kept repeating it so strongly and clearly. And, although Rod traveled extensively in the United States, and the world, he never came to Wisconsin to teach.

At this point, my students and fellow teachers had heard of Rod’s name. I spoke about his book a lot and led students through his guided meditations. Out of the blue a fellow yoga teacher emailed me. She received a newsletter from a Madison yoga center that Rod Stryker was coming for a weekend workshop. I couldn't believe it, and yet I could. I didn't even bother reading the content. I registered for the whole weekend.

When I went to the workshop there were easily over 400 people in the room, but I knew I’d speak with Rod. The workshop was just what I needed and towards the end of the second day, during a break, I spoke with him.

His book and his workshop reminded me of this:

- Obstacles are not meant to overwhelm or discourage us, but rather inspire and motivate us!

- We are meant to expand beautifully.

- We determine our destiny.

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I get lazy and want others to direct me or tell me what my next steps should be. I think we probably all get like this at some point. We let someone else be the expert in our own lives. At some point, you start to listen to your inner wisdom and follow where it directs you. Lately, I have really been taking to heart the idea of giving yourself permission to grow, to achieve, to succeed. Ideally, we’d all have a group of mentors cheering us on, but it doesn’t always happen. I learn more and that as knowledgeable and experienced as others are, that don’t always have the magic answers. They can’t tell me what I need to hear. I’ve learned to dig deep, get still and center, and listen to that clear voice within. I become directed from within.

Examine what your reasons are for not acting, for not taking a next step. Afraid you don’t know how to do something? Afraid you’re not an “expert”? Waiting for someone to ask you to do it. Are you waiting for permission?

From a yoga perspective, it is a unique and wonderful privilege to be born as a human being. Make the most of the opportunities you create. The universe responds and expands when we follow our heart, when we are clear about what we want to do. Yogi Bhajan says, “I don’t count on miracles. I rely on them.”

What do you really want to do? What stops you from doing it? What are you waiting for?

I bring you back to Rod’s words:

“Don’t wait for someone to give you permission to succeed and achieve. Don’t wait for someone to tell you how to do it. Don’t wait for just the right situation. Don’t count on being lucky.

Your destiny is in your hands. Think like it and act like it with each passing moment.” – Rod Stryker, The Four Desires.